congress to reach an agreement in the next 48 hours to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. it's a term used to describe the expiry of tax cuts dating back to 2001. if there is no deal, 88% of americans will end up paying $400 billion more in 2014. that will be coupled with more than a trillion dollars in automatic government spending cuts. according to the congressional budget office it will start with $200 billion in military and social welfare cuts next year. the big concern over falling off the fiscal cliff is it will send the u.s. back into a recession with, of course, global repercussions. it could be weeks before anyone feels the effects. and analysts say even without an agreement, politicians can reach other deals to soften the impact. >> u.s. president barack obama making a rare appearance on one of u.s. tv's agenda-setting sunday shows. he appealed to politicians of both parties not to let the u.s. go off the so-called fiscal cliff. the budget crisis, some kay -- say could tip the u.s. into recession dragging the rest of the world with it. >> over the next 48 hours